gilbert



W. R. GILBERT.

APPARATUS FOR REPRODUCING THE MOTIONS OF THE UPPER PART OF VESSELS IN MOTION. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 14. I9l9.

1 ,3 1 3, 685 Patented All. 19, 1919,

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAXII co., WASHINGTON. n c.

W. R. GILBERT.

APPARATUS FOR REPRODUCING THE MOTIONS OF THE UPPER PART OF VESSELS IN MOTION.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I4. I912).

Patented An". 19, 1919.

4 SHEETSSIIEET 2.

//v VENTOR.

WALTER FALmHC-nsim BY fITTY.

rm: COLUMBIA PLANOmIAPII cu WASHINGTON, u. c.

. W. R. GILBERT.

APPARATUS FOR REPRODUCING THE MOTIONS OF THE UPPER PART OF VESSELS IN MOTION.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 14. 1919.

1,3 1 3, 685, Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

//v vs/vrc R. WM-rm RALEIGH GILBERT.

HTTY

'rur' mum- M vuxmuuvn pm, WASHINGTON, n. c-

W. R. GILBERT.

APPARATUS FOR REPRODUCING THE MOTIONS OF THE UPPER PART OF VESSELS IN MOTION.

APPLICATION FILED FEB- H. I919.

1,313,685. Pat entedA 1%.19,l919.

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Q w-r Q 2 f E P INVENTOR.

WALTER RALEIGH GILBERTI LA; J

AT'TY.

run COLUMBIA PLANouRAPH 420.. WASHINGTON, n. C-

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER RALEIGH GILBERT, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

APPARATUS FOR REPRODUCING- THE MOTIONS OF THE UPPER PART OF VESSELS IN MOTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

Application filed February 14, 1919. Serial No. 277,122.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVALTER RALEIGH GIL- BERT, a subject of the King of England, residing at London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Reproducing the Motions of the Upper Part of Vessels in Motion, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved apparatus for reproducing the motions of the upper part of a moving ship and is especially applicable for use with firing teachers and the like. It consists of a platform or carrier designed to reproduce the various movements which take place on the deck or upper part of a moving ship for the purpose of realistic instruction in the operation and handling of director firing, range-finding, Searchlight or the like apparatus which is secured preferably centrally on the platform. The motions which can be reproduced by this invention are those of rolling, pitching, yawing and training, and in addition a kicking movement to reproduce the recoil due to firing a (broadside of) ships guns. The platform is arranged to oscillate upon its fixed support and make other movements to obtain the foregoing effects and also to be revolved for a portion of its revolution. The rolling, pitching, yawing and kicking effects are obtained by subjecting the platform to vertical and lateral forces: these may be obtained by means of cam-actuated rocklng levers engaging the platform, and the training effect is preferably obtained by toothed gearing to effect the turning of the platform. The kicking action is caused in a suitable manner by a supplementary actuation of the roll-producin lever. Other features of the invention wi l hereinafter be pointed out.

Upon the accompanying sheet of drawings, an apparatus is shown constructed in accordance with this invention. Figure 1 is an elevation and Fig. 2 is a plan. Figs. 1 and 2 are respectively continuations of Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the kicker gear. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation on a larger scale showing the supports for the platform. Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged views in elevation and plan respectively of the cam and the engaging roller mounted on the rocking lever for the rolling effect.

A normally horizontal platform or carrier 1 is mounted on a balloint 47 by means of a central inverted cup 16, the ball being carried by a fixed pillar 8 upstanding from a base 7. The platform is engaged by pivoted rocking lovers 2, 3 and 1 which respectively impart the rolling, pitching and yawing movements to the platform 1. These levers 2, 3 and 4 at one end each ongage or are connected with the underside of the platform 1 and they are pivoted intermediately of their length, while at their other ends they are fitted with a ball or roller 2 1 which may be mounted on ball or roller bearings, which roller 24. is caused to follow the periphery of a revolving cam plate. These cam plates 5, 5, 5 are shaped to reproduce (as from actual chart records) the movements of any particular vessel and they are made detachable. As will be seen from Figs. 5 and 6, the mounting preferably allows of two cam plates 5 of different curvatures being fitted at the same time so that by a throw-over device either cam 5 can be engaged by the roller 24. The two pairs of cam-plates 5 and 5 respectively for levers 2 and 3 are mounted to rotate with shaft 22 supported in brackets 22.

It will be understood from Figs. 2 and 6 that each two cam plates 5 are parallel and spaced apart and that the lever 2 is forked at its roller-carrying end to afford a carrier wider than the two cams. The roller 2a is mounted in a trip 6 slidable on cross shaft 6, the tail of the trip being held against lifting by a plate 6 having a central web 6. By depressing lover 2 below the one cam 5, the projecting end of trip (3 can be raised so that. its tail clears the web 6 and the whole trip then be caused to slide along the shaft 6 to be beneath the other cam 5, and the lever 2 finally released and allowed to rise.

The arrow in Fig. 2 indicates the front or forward direction. The rocking levers 2 and 3 for the rolling and pitching motions impart vertical movements to the outer portions or edges of the platform at points which lie on radial lines at right angles to one another; these levers are pivoted on brackets 23 and 23 respectively and are each fitted at their ends opposite to the rollers 21 with preferably a hardened steel ball 25 in a cup-socket 25, this ball working against a hardened steel or other wearing plate 26 underneath platform 1. The rocking lever 3 can be fitted to the front of the platform tween its roller 24 and the pivot 23".

platform 1.

cam 5 at that particular moment.

(as shown) or to the rear of the platform, as will be obvious.

The yawing lever 4 has a connecting rod 27 with universal ball joint 28 and is kept up to its cam 5 by a compression spring 29 on rod 29. This yawing lever .4 is pivoted in a bracket 23 and therod 27 which connects with the platform is pivoted to lever 4 at ball-joint 4 in the length be- Rod 27 may be connected to the platform 1 at any point which is suitable for providing the lateraljmovement; and as shown, it forms a coupling connection for the training movement between main frame 13 and the The lines from the points where the balls 25 of levers 2 and 3 make contact with the platform to the oscillation center 47, are at right angles to one another.

The roll, pitch and yaw motions are shown obtained from an electric motor 18. A first speed reduction gear consists preferably of chain drive 19 from the motor 18, which revolves a worm meshing with a worm wheel in gear box 19. The speed is then further reduced by spur gears 20, 20 which revolve the shafts 22, 22 geared together by spur wheels 21 and carrying the cam plates 5, 5 for the rolling and pitch ing motions. I

The kicker gear may consist, as shown of a clutch member 34 revoluble with shaft 30, slidably mounted on said shaft 30. This shaft 30 rotates, in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 1. The member 34 is so arranged that when an electromagnet C is energized, a rocking lever 31 (which controls the position of clutch member 34 on shaft 30) brings the teeth 32 of the slidable member of the clutch 34 into engagement with the member 33 of the clutch which is fast at one end with a spur pinion 34; clutch member .33 is loosely mounted on shaft 30 and'the gear 34 is in constant mesh with a quadrant 35, the latter being preferably bolted to, but in any case movable with, the rocking lever 2' for the roll motion. This quadrant 35 normally. follows the roll motion and then idly oscillates the clutch member 33. WVhen the clutch member 34 is engaged with member 33, the motion of shaft 30 is transmitted to the roll lever 2, producing in the correct direction (to correspond with the effect of gun recoil) either an additional or an opposing roll to the platform 1, as the casemay be, beyond that imparted by the This kicking movement may thus be an increase of the normal rocking movement of lever,2 or it may act on the lever 2 oppositely to its normal 'movement at the parti'cularmoment, according to the time at whichthe kicker gear coines'into action.

In either case, lever 2 is caused to leave cam 5 to a greater or less degree and the resultant of the two forces (rolling and kicking) is reproduced on the platform. Shaft 30 is driven from shaft 22 by the meshing gears 20 and 30. When the energizing circuit of the electro-magnet C is opened and the clutch is finally disengaged by a spring 36, an adjustable dashpot' device 37 secured to the lever 2 controls the return of the said lever and quadrant so that the return motion is performed in such, a way that the roller 24 on lever 2 again engages with the cam 5 without undue jar. In-

stead of the quadrant 35 and spur gear 34, 7

other forms of mechanism for imparting the supplemental movement to rocking lever 2 may be employed, such as a rack and pinion mechanism,

Around the base 7V is a semi-circular rack H is revoluble around the fixed pillar 8, the

central portion of the weight of the frame 13 being carried on a ball thrust bearing 16. At each end of this frame 13 are secured foundation plates or decks 17, 17 on which are mounted the motors and other gears whereby the various motions of platform 1 are produced and controlled.

The motor 18, cam-plates5, 5 and 5 and the gears for operating the cam-plates and the kicker mechanism are mounted on deck 17 which, as stated, is secured to one end of the main frame. At the other end is secured the deck 17 on which is arranged the electric motor 38 directly coupled to worm gear 39 which drives, preferably through spur gears 40, 40 and bevel-gears 41, 41, the pinion 10 which engages the curved rack 9 on the'fixedframe7. The shaft connecting the gears 41 and 10 is journaled in the mainframe 13. In this way a horizontal training movement can be imparted to the main frame13 by reason of the pinion 10 traveling around the fixed rack 9.

Preferably on this deck or bed-plate 17' As shown, this are also mounted the electric controlling gear 43 and the horizontal keyboard 44 becentral 'ball and socket joint 47'- 46'so as to oscillate freely in any direction about the ball 47, and the platform is so counterweighted as shown at 48, that it will always keep in contact with the roll and pitch levers. Other means for keeping the rocking levers in constant engagement with their cams may be provided, such as springs acting on the levels.

The tilting action due to variation of the center of gravity of the director firing or other apparatus in use and the live load, is taken up by compression springs 4:5) or the like, on which ball-fitted shafts 4L9 are mounted to engage wearing pieces 49 fitted underneath the platform. Instead of the springs 49, other cushioning and automatic-return devices, such as plungers workingin air cylinders, may be employed.

y way of example, one can state that the constantly-rotating cam plates 5, 5, 5 may perform a'complete revolution in about 60 seconds. Different intensities of roll may be provided by the cams 5 for the roll lever 2, such as 2-1; degrees, 5 degrees, or 71; degrees. Different intensities of yaw may be provided such as representing 2 degrees and 3 degrees and different intensities of pitch such as 1% degrees, 3 degrees or 5 degrees. With regard to the training motion, a total movement of 90 degrees on either side of thebeam may be provided for, and, if desired, with variable speeds say from 1 minute to 2 minutes to train through an angle of 90. The amount of movement and the speed of the kicker gear may be an extra movement of 3 degrees in about 2 seconds, and the kicker action is preferably rendered operative while the plat- T forun 1 is within 45 of either side of zero (2'. e. broadside) training position.

The controllers and electrical connections may be of'any suitable type and mounted on the keyboard 44. r The switches and the electrical gear 43 may also be of any suitable pattern. If it be desired to provide several training speeds, a tramway-type controller with a series of notches for cutting out the motor resistances maybe employed for the motor 38. An indicator dial 53 and pointer 54 are represented on the keyboard 44 to showv the number of degrees of train on either side of central or zero position. a An electric brake 50 is shown on worm shaft 39 to bring motor 38 to rest immediately the current is cut off. On the spindle of indicator 54 a contact switch operates to open the kicker circuit after a movement of 45 has taken place on either side of zero.

While it is intended that the rolling, pitching and yawing motions should be obtained simultaneously, the training movement is introduced only when required, and the kicker action is employed only when the rolling motion is to be suddenl accentuated or modified as above describedi It will thus be seen that this invention provides an apparatus for the p 'actical instruction of the crews of guns, gun-directors, range-finders, searchlights or other appliances dependent upon or subject to the ships movements, with a view to training such crews to carry out their duties under conditions similar to those arising from the motion of a ship at sea, such apparatus being applicable for instruction on shore or elsewhere. Further, instead of the gun or other device being mounted on a fixed foundation and the target being caused to move, as in instructional devices hitherto employed, this invention enables the gun or other load on the carrier or platform to participate in movements which are similar to those experienced when at sea.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as such and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. apparatus for reproducing the movements of the upper portion of a vessel in motion, comprising a fixed support, a platform mounted to oscillate on said support, means for imparting rising and falling movementsto the edges of said platform, a main frame, said main frame being revoluble about said support, connections between said main frame and said platform so that the platform revolves with said main frame, means for imparting sidewise movement to the platform to reproduce a yawing movement, and gearing between said main frame and said support so that the platform may be turned'to reproduce a training movement.

2. An apparatus for reproducing the movements of the upper portion of a vessel in motion, comprising a fixed support, said support including a pillar mounted on a base, a platform mounted on said pillar in an oscillating manner, power-actuated means for imparting lifting movements to the edges of said platform, spring members acting on the platform to return said platform, a main frame, said main frame being revolublearound said pillar with said platform, a track-ring upon said base, rollers secured to said main frame and traveling on said trackring, a gear rack on said base, and a poweractuated pinion carried by said main frame and engaging said gear rack.

An apparatus for reproducing the movements of the upper portion of a vessel in motion, comprising a platform, a fixed support upon which said platform is rockably mounted, means for imparting vertical movements to the edges of the platform to [reproduce both "rolling and pitching movements, and power-actuated means for imparting a supplementary rolling movement to reproduce the corresponding kicking effect due to the discharge of a ships guns broadside.

" 4. An apparatus for reproducing the movements of the upper portion, of; a vessel in motion, comprising a carrier-platform, a fixed support for saidplatform, said platform beingmounted. on: said; sup.- port in a rockable manner, means? for 1m.-- partingrising movements to the edges; of the platform so as to rock the platform and its load-,said, means includingleverspivoted intermediately of their length, to supports, each of said levers beingoperativelyi Connected at, one end with said platform and, at the other end bearingagainst arevolv-ing cam plate with appropriately shaped. per riphery, said connections. with. the platform being onradial, lines at right anglesto'one. another, and spring-pressed memb erS:- bean ing upon saidplatform to act as automatio. return members andkeep-the platform-bearing upon, its lifting levers.

5. An apparatus for reproducing the movements. of the upper portion of a, vessel in motion, comprising a carrier-platform, a fixed support. upon which said, carrier-platform is rockably mounted,;means for-imparting rising and; falling movementsto the outer; edges, of said platform to, reproduce rolling and pitching movements and a rocking lever. pivoted upon a. support, said lever; having itsends-respectivelY bear:- ing against a revoluble cam-diskgand acted upon by a. spring, and a connecting ,rod between said rocking lever and the underside of the platform, to reproduce the yawing, motion.

6.. Anapparatus for. reproducing; the movements of the upper portion of a vessel in motion, comprising a carriel'rplatform, a fixedsupport: upon-'Which-said." platform-.is rocka'bly mounted, means:- f0r,-. imparting a rising and: falling movement tojthe: edges of the platform, to reproduce a-arolling movement onvthe platform, saidmeans ineluding a .rocking-leven connectedwvith the platform at one end and at'the other outer end bearing against a. revoluble cam'1dev-ice,;said cam device including alternative cam plates mounted-parallel and spaced apart, a; forked outer end to said rocking lever Witha-shaft between fork. ends, a roller-fitted tripusli'dr able along the saidfork shaft, and means for holding said tripiin either -of tvvoppositions upon the -shaft so that its roller can engage with .either of the: cam plates,-

7.,In an apparatus-of the character de: scribed, a. carrier-platform, a fixed; support upon which said platform 18: rockably mounted, means-for imparting av'rising and reas ess falling; movement to: the edges of the platformto: reproduce a. rollmgj movement, said meansincludinga rocking lever connected at one end with the platform and at its oppositeend'bearing against a revoluble cam-device, a toothed quadrant secured to said' rocking lever, a spun Wheel loose on:

gaging said slidable clutch member with the loosely mounted clutch member to transmitthe movement of. the revolving. shaft to the aforesaid,- rocking lever. so as to produce a supplementary rolling or kicking motl0I1.-;-

8.,I n an apparatusof the. character described, thecombination. of a fixed support,

acarrien-platform.- mounted. on: said support and.-1'ockable upon said.- support,. pivoted levers bearing at oneend: upon: the under sideof said.- platform,, said.- levers being cameoperatedi at their: other. ends to lift the platform at.-itsedges; so as I tov rock the carrier-platform and. its, load, andv automatic. return members engaging, the platform upon the sides of.thesupporti opposite to the levers and serving. to maintain: the: platform in contactwith, said pivoted: levers.

9.'.In' an, apparatus-of the character de scribed, the-combination of afixed support, a, carrier mounted on saich support. and? rock-. ableon. said. support; a: main frame connected with. said carrie'n and revoluble upon said: support,, decks. carried, by said main frame and arranged, on. opposite sides: of the carrier means-forimpartingz' rising and falling;movementsto the edges-of the. carrier; so asto, rock; the." carrier, and. its load upon, the. support, said. means-.- comprising rocking levers operated by power-actuated camstmountedl on one. of said decks, and means: for turning; saidmain frame and-carrier around. said. support, said last-mentioned means, being power-operated and comprising: gearing mounted partlyg-on the main frame and partly; on the other of.- said decksw.

In testimony, whereof Lhave. aflixed. my signature. in presence of: two witnesses WAIlT-ER lZtALEIGrH GHLBERT. Witnesses: I

Allen-Hrx HELLIATO, HELEMSUTHEBLAND.

Copies 0L this ;patent may {be obtained for; five,- cents each*, ,by, addressing, the. Goinmissioner of. Patents Washing-tonal); 0;? i 

